Robert Leonard (Len) Collier, 59, of Church Walk, was also told to register on the Sex Offenders' Register for life.

He had denied 10 charges of indecent assault on two schoolgirls but was convicted unanimously by a jury at Mold Crown Court.

Collier gripped the front of the dock and stood with his head bowed as the verdicts were returned.

Judge John Rogers QC said Collier had persistently abused the girls over a two-year period.

He said they were serious offences but he took into account the fact Collier was of previous good character.

The court heard Collier was responsible for the day-to-day care of his elderly and infirm mother, with whom he lived.

Judge Rogers said Collier had virtually admitted what he had done when first seen by the police, and that made it almost inevitable he would be convicted.

The girls had given evidence to the court via a television link during the three-day trial.

Collier had admitted the allegations when interviewed by the police - but in court claimed he had only done so in order to get out of the police station quickly because he suffered from claustrophobia.

He broke down in tears when he described how the condition had come on when working down a pipe and the lid had been put on. He survived but a colleague had died.

Collier added: 'If they had accused me of sinking the Titanic, I would have agreed with them.'

But prosecutor Rhys Rowlands said an examination of his interview showed he had not just agreed with what the police were putting to him.

In fact, Collier had volunteered information to the police and it was clear from the tape recording of the interview he was not under pressure, said Mr Rowlands.

In fact, the court heard that Collier had been laughing at one stage.

An order was made under the Children and Young Persons' Act that the girls involved should not be identified.